From time to time we get angry, and from time to time we have to get up close and personal. When both happen what do you do to stay rightious? Have any of you lost control? How can you practice to avoid steping over the line?

SO,whatYou are saying that regular hard training is a good method.Let me play devil's advocate and ask HOW that can capture or prepare you the emotion of being seriously peeved and having to lay hands?

I think what neko is saying is that most of the time when you are angry "at someone" you are really angry due to built up stress and frustration, which you are just sublimating to a target of opportunity (the punk who just mouthed off to you). So by working off that built up aggression in a healthy manner (beating the stuffing out of willing subjects and inanimate objects) you are less likely to lose your cool over a relatively small matter.And I agree.

There is a concept known as controlled rage. If you are in a position where you are defending your life, you can learn to invoke rage in yourself and use it to get you through the situation.

If you are an angry person, or feel angry, you need to seek counseling and an outlet. I've been there, it's easy to come back from.

If in the moment you take it too far, hope that the damage isn't too severe - you won't know until it happens, you can't predict these things. **** happen and just about everyone that is anyone has stepped over the line...if you haven't, then you're probably not doing your job. The problem, exists, however, when you step over the line all the time or don't learn from your mistakes.

Believe it or not people and courts are amazingly tolerant, and a smart cop will come out on top, but hot heads have no place in law enforcement.

Personally, I've never had it ("angry" in the way I think you're suggesting) happen and credit that, in large part, to MA training. I could go on and on but wont. At this point I honestly couldn't imagine it happening either. [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif[/IMG]

Doughnut, if you lose your control, you've lost completely. A martial artist should have a strong spirit.

Develop a clear understanding of when you can use your techniques. Our students clearly understand they may use their techniques only to DEFEND our country, their families and themselves. Without this understanding, you have ambiguity and indecision; which could cost you your life.